CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH
THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOW A MAJOR HEALTH THREAT, MAKING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE MORE VULNERABLE AROUND THE WORLD. EXPOSURE TO EXTREME HEAT DIRECTLY AFFECTS HEALTH: IT INCREASES DEATHS, CARDIOVASCULAR AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES, AS WELL AS PREGNANCY AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. RISING TEMPERATURES AND EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS THREATEN CROP YIELDS AND LEAD TO THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. IN ADDITION, AIR POLLUTION REMAINS THE LEADING ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSE OF EARLY DEATH IN THE EUROPEAN UNION. AGAIN, IT IS THE POOREST POPULATIONS AND THE MOST MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MOST AFFECTED. GOVERNMENTS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS URGENTLY NEED TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THEIR POLICIES AND MAKE THEM MORE AMBITIOUS AND EFFECTIVE. AND THAT IS WHAT WE AT SALUD POR DERECHO (THE RIGHT TO HEALTH FOUNDATION) STARTED TO WORK ON IN 2022.